Electrical connection



Jan. 9, 1934. J, w rr 1,942,586

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed March 25, 1932 Eqii.

/6 I f A; /7

INVENTOR IE 5 5 e M \/\/h1tE AT OR'NEY Patented Jan. 9, 1934 STATESPATENT FFIC 5 Application March 25, 1932.

(C1. lit-$24) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to electric connections, has object to provide aninsulating block for use in conjunction with electrical conductors andconduits therefor, embodying new i and improved features of convenienceand reliability.

A further object of the invention is to provide an insulating blockhaving seats for conductor terminals, and so arranged that any one ofthe conductors may be unseated and moved through the insulating block.

block of the present invention is intended more particularly forelectrical insulation of auto motive vehicles, although of course, it isnot limited in its scope thereto. In the wiring installation of motorvehicles, the conductors are drawn or pushed through conduits of varioustypes from the source of electrical supply to the point of use. At thepoint of use, as for instance the headlights, separable connections areprovided so that conductors, together with their conduits, may bereleased from such connection conveniently. Such type of conductors andconduits are well known in the art. The usual manner of making suchconnection is to seat the conductor with a contact terminal permanentlyin an insulating block which is contained in a shell, the shell in turnbeing connected with the conduit. It is to such a block that the presentin vention is directed.

An object of the invention further than above stated, is to provide ablock having sockets therein, with shoulders in the sockets at suchpositions as to maintain the contact terminals of the conductorssubstantially flush with the ends of the block, and that when any one ormore of such contact terminals are so seated, to prevent the withdrawalof any conductor, but when all of the terminals are unseated, any one ofthe conductors, together with its contact terminal, may be removedthrough the block for individual release therefrom.

The invention, therefore, comprises a block, which according to thepresent usage, will be cylindrical, and through which are provided aplurality of passages, such passages in one end of the block being of adiameter to receive the contact terminals or" the conductors, andreduced in size to form shoulders, upon which such contact terminalsrest the passage extending further to accommodate the conductor whichitself is of smaller diameter than the contact terminals.

The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention and the viewstherein are as follows:

Serial No. 601,241

Figure 1 is a view of the block in side elevation,

Figure 2 is an end view of the block, as indicated by arrow 2 at Figure1,

Figure 3 is a view of the opposite end of the block, as indicated byarrow 3 at Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal diametrical sectional view, taken on line 4-4of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an end view of the block employing a lesser number ofpassages,

Figure 6 is an end View of the block shown at but disclosing the endopposite that at Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on line 'l-7 of Figure 5, and showingarrows 5 and 6 indicating the ends from which Figures 5 and 6respectively are taken, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the block with conductors threadedtherethrough in such position that any one may be withdrawn.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

In the usual wiring of such insulations as are found in motor vehicles,conductors 10 are employed consisting of metallic wires with insulatingcoating thereon. The ends of these conductors 10 are provided withcontact terminals 11. One of these contacts shown specifically as 11 isshown in section, with the metallic wire 12 secured therein in anyapproved manner. Such manner of securing is usually by soldering, butother means of securing may be employed. Such conductors as shown at 10with their terminals 11, are well known in the art.

The block 13 has passages formed therethrough. As shown at Figures 2, 3and 4, three of these passages are disclosed. At one end of the block,the passage as indicated at 14, is of such diameter as to properlyreceive the contact terminals 11.

The passages are reduced to the size shown at 15 to form a shoulder 16.This shoulder 16 is located relative to the end disclosed at Figure 2 atexactly the right distance, so that when the contact terminals 11 areseated upon these shoulders, the ends will be substantially flush withthat end of the block. The several passages comprising the sections 14and 15 are all united by a central aperture 1'7. This central apertureis of such size as to permit the contact terminals 11 to slidetherethrough with reasonable freedom.

In employing such a block, the conductors 10 may be individuallyinserted through the block from the end shown at Figure 3 and throughcentral opening 1'7.

stead of three as shown at Figure 2.

the central uniting passage 1'7. As each one emerges from such passage,it is moved into one of the lateral passages, and a second and thirdconductor similarlyx passed through the When all are in the positionshown at Figure 8, the block may be moved upwardly or the conductordownwardly, so that each of the contact terminals 11 will occupy one ofthe passage sections 14 and rest upon its shoulder 16. As will be notedfrom Figure 2, the circumference of each of the passage sections 1 issuch that when it is occupied by one of the contact terminalscorresponding to the diameter of said passage section, the terminal willproject an arc into the central passage so that even though one of theconductors or terminals might become loosened from its seat, it couldnot pass through said central passage until all of the terminals hadbeen unseated as shown at Figure 8 so that the lesser diameter or" theconductors 10 would permit the passage of the terminals through suchcenter passage.

By employing this type of block, any one of the conductors may at anytime be removed or replaced without discarding the entire block, and

the terminals 11 may be properly connected with the wires before beingthreaded into the conduits.

At Figures 5 and 6, a variation is shown in that the conductor passagesare two in number in- In all other respects, the sections 14, 15 and 17correspond identically with the passages 14, 15 and 1'? as shown atFigure 2 and described relative thereto.

The operation will be identical in all respects, provision thus beingmade within the scope of this invention to accommodate any number ofconductors which the installation may make necessary or desirable. Whilein the figures three 40 T-conductors and two conductors have been espe-Tillustrated, may be modified and changed in various ways withoutdeparting from the invention herein set forth and hereinafter claimed.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. An electrical connectioncomprising wires ihaving terminals thereon greater in diameter than thewires, a block having an approximately axial opening proportioned toprovide passage for one terminal, lateral openings offset from andcommunicating with said axial opening and being constricted, the largerparts proportioned to fit the terminals and the constrictions formingshoulders, all so proportioned that a terminal seated upon a shoulderprojects into and obstructs the axial opening to such an extent thatanother terminal will not pass therethrough.

2. An electrical connection comprising wires having terminals thereongreater in diameter than the wires, a block having an approximatelyaxial opening proportioned to provide passage for one terminal, lateralopenings offset from and communicating with said axial opening and beingconstricted, the smaller parts proportioned to fit the wires and thelarger parts proportioned to fit the terminals and the constrictionsforming shoulders, all so proportioned that a terminal seated upon ashoulder projects into and obstructs the axial opening to such an extentthat another terminal will not pass therethrough.

3. An electrical connection comprising wires having terminals thereongreater in diameter than the wires, a block having an approximatelyaxial opening proportioned to provide passage for one terminal, lateralopenings offset from and communicating with said axial opening and beingconstricted, the larger parts proportioned to fit the terminals and theconstrictions forming annularly segmental shoulders, all so proportionedthat a terminal seated upon "a shoulder projects into and obstructs theaxial opening to such an extent that another terminal will not passtherethrough.

4. An electrical connection comprising wires having terminals thereongreater in diameter than the wires, a block having an approximatelyaxial opening proportioned to provide passage for one terminal, lateralopenings offset from and communicating with said axial opening and beingconstricted, the smaller parts proportioned to fit the wires and thelarger parts proportioned to fit the terminals and the constrictionsforming annularly segmental shoulders, all so proportioned that aterminal seated upon a shoulder projects into and obstructs the axialopening to such an extent that another terminal will not passtherethrough.

JESSE M. WHITE.

